Bogotá. The Colombian journalist, writer, essayist, and diplomat Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza, known for his close friendship with Nobel Prize in Literature winner Gabriel García Márquez, passed away this Tuesday at the age of 94, as reported by his family to the Ministry of Cultures of Colombia.
Mendoza was born on January 1, 1932, in the municipality of Toca, department of Boyacá, and dedicated a large part of his life to journalism, literature, and diplomatic service, establishing himself as one of the most influential figures in the Colombian intellectual sphere.
During his career, he held important roles as Colombia’s ambassador to Portugal and Italy, in addition to publishing numerous works including novels, essays, and books of political analysis, leaving a vast contribution to the thought and culture of his country.
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His name was also linked to the history of Latin American literature due to the deep friendship he maintained with Gabriel García Márquez. Both collaborated on various projects, including the book Fragrance of Guava, a series of conversations in which the author of One Hundred Years of Solitude reflects on his life, his creative process, and his vision of the world.
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After the news of his passing became known, various personalities and cultural institutions expressed their condolences and highlighted the intellectual legacy of Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza, whose work marked several generations of readers and journalists in Latin America.
